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21 My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment.
    Hang on to them,
22 for they will refresh your soul.
    They are like jewels on a necklace.
23 They keep you safe on your way,
    and your feet will not stumble.
24 You can go to bed without fear;
    you will lie down and sleep soundly.
25 You need not be afraid of sudden disaster
    or the destruction that comes upon the wicked,
26 for the Lord is your security.
    He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.

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21 Have two goals: wisdom—that is, knowing and doing right—and common sense. Don’t let them slip away, 22 for they fill you with living energy and bring you honor and respect.[a] 23 They keep you safe from defeat and disaster and from stumbling off the trail. 24-26 With them on guard you can sleep without fear; you need not be afraid of disaster or the plots of wicked men, for the Lord is with you; he protects you.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 3:22 bring you honor and respect, literally, “be an ornament to your neck.”

21 My son,(A) do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,(B)
    preserve sound judgment and discretion;
22 they will be life for you,(C)
    an ornament to grace your neck.(D)
23 Then you will go on your way in safety,(E)
    and your foot will not stumble.(F)
24 When you lie down,(G) you will not be afraid;(H)
    when you lie down, your sleep(I) will be sweet.
25 Have no fear of sudden disaster
    or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
26 for the Lord will be at your side(J)
    and will keep your foot(K) from being snared.(L)

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The godliness of good people rescues them;
    the ambition of treacherous people traps them.

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The good man’s goodness delivers him; the evil man’s treachery is his undoing.

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The righteousness of the upright delivers them,
    but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.(A)

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The godly are rescued from trouble,
    and it falls on the wicked instead.

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God rescues good men from danger while letting the wicked fall into it.

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The righteous person is rescued from trouble,
    and it falls on the wicked instead.(A)

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15 There’s danger in putting up security for a stranger’s debt;
    it’s safer not to guarantee another person’s debt.

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15 Be sure you know a person well before you vouch for his credit! Better refuse than suffer later.

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15 Whoever puts up security(A) for a stranger will surely suffer,
    but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe.(B)

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The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush,
    but the words of the godly save lives.

The wicked die and disappear,
    but the family of the godly stands firm.

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The wicked accuse; the godly defend.

The wicked shall perish; the godly shall stand.

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The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,
    but the speech of the upright rescues them.(A)

The wicked are overthrown and are no more,(B)
    but the house of the righteous stands firm.(C)

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13 The wicked are trapped by their own words,
    but the godly escape such trouble.

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13 Lies will get any man into trouble, but honesty is its own defense.

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13 Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk,(A)
    and so the innocent escape trouble.(B)

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21 No harm comes to the godly,
    but the wicked have their fill of trouble.

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21 No real harm befalls the good, but there is constant trouble for the wicked.

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21 No harm overtakes the righteous,(A)
    but the wicked have their fill of trouble.

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Those who control their tongue will have a long life;
    opening your mouth can ruin everything.

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Self-control means controlling the tongue! A quick retort can ruin everything.

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Those who guard their lips(A) preserve their lives,(B)
    but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.(C)

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14 The instruction of the wise is like a life-giving fountain;
    those who accept it avoid the snares of death.

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14 The advice of a wise man refreshes like water from a mountain spring. Those accepting it become aware of the pitfalls on ahead.

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14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,(A)
    turning a person from the snares of death.(B)

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